Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/326223
Opinion 23 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 8 JUNE 2014 Opinion Emmanuel Mallia A clear stamp of approval traditional rubble walls, using "box gabions" or galvanized rectangular wire cages to hold dry stones. These box gabions are easily handled and can be used like children's bricks to form strong walls. They are eco friendly because they allow water to flow through and flora and fauna to make their homes inside. The wire "boxes" slowly fade away and the stone settles into a firm wall over the years. This work was to be a pilot scheme that could then be applied to many other valleys and water courses, to preserve the vital water table in all Malta. Astonishingly all work was stopped at Chadwick Lakes in Autumn 1998 by the incoming minister after change of government and has never been resumed there, let alone started in any of the other suitable valleys in Malta. Rubble walls themselves are an ecologically sensible system developed by our Maltese ancestors and other Mediterranean peoples (e.g. in Menorca). They clear the ground of stones to help tillage and do not block natural water flow or movement of fauna. However water and water table management in Malta also suffers under the "curse of the concrete". See how many of the new roads are bordered by what seem to be eye- and eco-pleasing rubble walls; they are not. Instead they are made of heavy concrete blocks that have been faced with stone chips. They are fakes, heavy, substrata disfiguring, inflexible, non-porous, flow blocking and diverting fakes, which cause real environmental damage by forcing water into destructive concentrated streams. How many impervious concrete pavements and footpaths have been constructed around Malta and Gozo? How much better it would be for the authorities to insist on the use of box gabions. Ironically, in a bad storm on the road down from Rabat to St. Paul's Bay, a wild rush of tons of water is channeled directly over the Chadwick Lakes system, because the drains are far too small to direct that amount of water into them. According to a UN report some years ago, the process of desertification has already begun in Malta and tragically, it has been helped by years of ignorant and neglectful government. Do we really want to see tourists of the future visiting the ruins of Valletta in 3018? T he dust has settled on the election for the Maltese members of the European Parliament. Looking back at the events of the past few weeks, I find it to have been surreal in many senses. Starting with the objective viewpoint, it is well worth highlighting the total shattering of the glass ceiling for our female politicians. Unfortunately this breakthrough seems to have escaped the leader of the opposition, who remains intent on ignoring the electorate and appointing as head of delegation the 'experienced' male instead of the publicly supported female. The campaign in itself was also surreal in a negative sense. The Nationalist Party chose to build its campaign on endless and daily rigmarole, attacking individuals basely and shamelessly. They totally avoided any sort of discussion on a European level or on European issues, which is bizarre to say the least, considering their Europhile leader. The issues could not even be described as being of national interest, as they were petty and not of any interest whatsoever. The Labour Party maintained its consistency and, once again, presented itself through a campaign that respected the electorate. We translated the highfaluting discourse of usual European politics into issues that people really care about, and which are a direct result of decisions and policies emanating from Brussels. This campaign cannot however be seen in isolation. It has to be seen against the backdrop of fourteen months in government, a period characterised by a surge in optimism and positive approaches to matters affecting our population. The result of the election is indisputable. Huffing and puffing about having won the third seat does not change the fact that the Maltese people once again gave their stamp of approval to the Labour movement. Fourteen months ago, they placed their trust in us on the basis of what we were saying. This time round they gave their endorsement for what we are doing, and doing very well. The Maltese people have sent a message saying that they are appreciative and supportive of this new way of doing politics. Many are saying that we have breathed fresh air into the political atmosphere of our country. Puerile gimmicks are frankly not appreciated by anyone, in the same way that derogatory campaigns against individuals tend to bounce back right in the faces of the assailant. The Nationalist Party in Opposition is still making the same mistakes, living its illusion that it has some sort of divine right to govern this country, and that any other democratic decision is a fluke. They have once again resorted to their old and outdated way of doing politics, reusing and recycling what had already failed them in the past, and hence reducing further the popular support they enjoy. The Labour government, on the other hand, is in a healthy state of ongoing regeneration. Our slogan of positive energy for the MEP elections was no cliché. It was a true and honest statement and ref lection of our ideas, our policies and the way we are governing this country. We have shown, beyond any doubt, that what we promised before March 2013 we have delivered and are continuing to deliver. The judgment delivered by the electorate is a confirmation of this, and an expression of the people's appreciation of what we have achieved, and are aiming to achieve further. The result was not at all the yellow card for the government the leader of the Opposition called for in one of his many gimmicky pronouncements. If there was a yellow card, it was clearly for the Opposition and its way of politicking. I would rather however assess it as a green light for the government to move ahead in the direction it has already shown and taken. Manuel Mallia is the Minister for Home Affairs and National Security We have shown, beyond any doubt, that what we promised before March 2013 we have delivered and are continuing to deliver !!"##$%&"''&$()!*"+&,!-"*)&" !"#$"%&'()*)+,(-)#"$.$(/)+'#) #"-$')!"#$")*)!"0",)0&$(") ))))))))))))))))123()$.)4)5)6)%"7)-$02!1#,)89:; 12%<22()%&2)=)*)::)!">)89:? )))))))<2)<',@-)@$A2)%')%&"(A)2B2#>'(2 +'#)%&2)"!',(%)0'@@20%2-)-,#$(/)%&$.)2B2(%)C ./01232 45"(6!7$,!8 Valletta 3018?